Chrysanthemum plant named Tree Lane

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Tree Lane particularly characterized by its white ray floret color and contrasting, generally orange disc florets; nine week response; anemone capitulum; and, excellent flower production.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat.,and referred to by the cultivar name Tree Lane.

Tree Lane was discovered as a spontaneous mutation of Penny Lane, acultivar of applicant disclosed in a pending application.

Tree Lane was the result of an induced radiation program conducted byapplicant in De Lier, The Netherlands, in 1984. Plants of the parentcultivar Penny Lane were subjected to radiation levels of 1750 radX-rays. Tree Lane was discovered and selected as a mutation by virtue ofits white ray floret color, as opposed to the pink ray floret color ofPenny Lane. The disc floret color of Tree Lane was also noticed as beingsignificantly different than its parent.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Tree Lane was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in 1984 in acontrolled environment in De Lier, The Netherlands by a technicianworking under formulations established and supervised by Jacques C. M.Van der Knaap. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated in1984 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for Tree Lane are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Tree Lane has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in De Lier, The Netherlands under greenhouse conditions whichapproximate those generally used in commercial greenhouse practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Tree Lane which, in combination, distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Anemone capitulum.

2. White ray floret color, with the disc florets being medium orange toprovide a striking contrast with the ray florets.

3. Nine week response.

4. Excellent flower production per stem.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to Tree Lane is the parent cultivar Penny Lane. Incomparison to Penny Lane, Tree Lane has white ray florets, and discflorets the centers of which are a medium orange in color, bounded by ayellow band.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical inflorescence andfoliage characteristics of Tree Lane, with the ray and disc floretcolors being depicted as accurately as possible with photographs of thistype.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon in August 1986 under natural daylightat De Lier, The Netherlands.

Classification:

Botanical.--Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv. Tree Lane.

Commercial.--Anemone spray.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Anemone.

Diameter across face.--30-55 mm.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters ).--Very palepink to white.

Color (upper surface).--155A.

Color (under surface).--155A.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--Orange 34B, with yellowing 13B around the entireperiphery.

Color (immature).--White to pink.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present in disc florets.

Gynoecium.--Present in both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--75 cm.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--147A.

Color (under surface).--147B.

Shape.--Lobed and serrated.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Tree Lane, asdescribed and illustrated, and particularly characterized by its whiteray floret color and contrasting, generally orange disc florets; nineweek response; anemone capitulum; and, excellent flower production.